In order to bill property owners the correct amount each month, the utility company will monitor the home or building’s water meter. However, when there is a leak, these costs can skyrocket, leaving you stuck with an expensive bill at the end of the month. It can also leave your home with severe water damage and even mold growth if it is left alone without treatment. To avoid these problems, it is essential to find and fix the leaks as soon as possible before becoming stuck with another hefty bill. Take these following steps to learn how to find a water leak:

Finding the Leak

Monitor your water meter. The first step to finding water leak in your home is to make sure you have one (otherwise there may be someone who is using a significant amount of water without you knowing!). To do this, locate the water meter on your property as most residences have one.

Outside Leak

If you have found that the leak is outside, take these steps to find the leak in the water line between the house and meter.

If the leak is outside the house, also inspect these outdoor water components and areas:

The Garden. Especially during the summer time, gardening can be a relaxing and fun hobby. But when finding drastic increases in the water bill after watering your flowers, fruit, and vegetable plants, it’s not so fun after all. Be sure to check all taps, drip irrigation systems, and hoses for a possible water leak.

​The Hose-Bibs. Hose-bib are the pipes that connect your hose to your main water line. To find if there is a leak in these areas, check the front and back of your home, as they are usually located in these areas.

The Swimming Pool. Although it is most helpful if the pool is drained, the leak is most often noticed when it is full of water. You may also notice the water level dropping if you do have a leak.

If you find that it is inside the house, inspect the interior components and areas for water leaks:

The Toilet. This can sound like a messy job, but it will be worth avoiding an expensive water bill in the future.

First, remove the lid of the tank and listen closely for any hissing noises; they are a key indicator of a leak. If so, find out where they are coming from and determine if you can fix it yourself. If not, you may have to call a plumber.

Other Leaks

If you have inspected all of these areas and sources for water leaks and still have not found anything, don’t be discouraged. These signs can easily be overlooked or hidden due to pipe placement, silent dripping, or location of the leak. It can also be possible that you may notice a sign in one area but the leak can be in a different area of the house due to the flow of water.

Finding the leak yourself can you save a ton of money in plumbing costs, but even finding an approximate location and signs for water leaks will help save some dollars.

Repairing the Damage

If you are able to find the leak, you are already on the road to saving a fortune in plumbing repair costs. But if you are not able to fix it yourself, don’t hesitate to call a professional plumber. While it can be expensive, depending on the type, location, and size of the leak, it can prevent significant water damage to your building structure, such as warping, discoloration, and deterioration. It is also at risk for mold growth, creating even bigger problems.

If you have found the leak has already caused water damage to your building materials, such as the ceiling, floors, drywall, carpet, etc., do not hesitate to call a water damage restoration professional. The technicians at ServiceMaster Restoration Services in Omaha, NE are available 24/7 and are trained and experienced in the field of water damage. They will arrive within 2 hours of your call to repair any water damage caused by a leak.

How to Find a Water Leak was last modified: July 11th, 2017 by Jessica Schildgen